Blake Lively was only awarded $400,000 in attorneys’ fees after she demanded that Justin Baldoni cover $8 million in legal expenses.
A judge ruled the director will only have to pay the “Gossip Girl” alum $363,245.40 in attorneys’ fees and another $44,206.35 in costs, according to docs obtained by Page Six Wednesday.
In the docs, Judge Lewis J. Liman called Lively’s request for $8 million an “outrageously unreasonable demand.”
The massive blow was dealt just one day after the actress’ 39th birthday.
Blake Lively (seen above at a Fendi event in May) suffered a massive blow in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni. Getty Images for Fendi
The director (seen above at the “Boys In The Boat” screening in 2023) does not have to cover $8 million in Lively’s legal fees. Getty Images
On Wednesday, Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, celebrated her with a social media carousel of photos.
“Happy Birthday to the very best human I know,” he captioned the photos. “You’re not just another courageous and deeply kind genius. You’re also unreasonably cute. I know how lucky I am that you were born. Every time I’ve ever hit my head, it’s YOUR life that flashes before my eyes.”
TMZ was first to report the news.
When reached out for comment, Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Michael Gottlieb, released the following statement to Page Six:
“Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties lost their meritless retaliatory $400 million lawsuit, which two different courts held was designed to stifle public criticism and silence Blake Lively and others. This first-ever award of fees and costs under this California law is historic, and demonstrates that there are real consequences of bringing retaliatory lawsuits.
“As we have said from day one, Blake Lively’s case was never about money – it was about accountability. As the recent news in the Rebel Wilson/Amanda Ghost case demonstrated, Blake Lively’s lawsuit exposed an industry of secret online smear campaigns that largely target women, and unsurprisingly involve the same players. She lifted the curtain for other victims, and set the precedent for others to come forward and expose similar conduct. This result demonstrates that the legal system is not as easily manipulated as social media, and still functions as a force for accountability.”
Instead, a judge ordered Baldoni to cover $400,000 in the actress’ attorneys’ fees. (Pictured: Lively leaving court in February.) Gregory P. Mango for NY Post
In July, the “Jane the Virgin” alum (seen smiling while leaving court with wife Emily) called Lively’s demand for legal fees “excessive.” Gregory P. Mango for NY Post
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Meanwhile, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, told us, “Section 47.1 is not a perfect law, but it is an important one designed to protect real survivors, who deserve to see this law tested and perfected in the court of law. Notwithstanding the fact that the law was applied in ways it was never intended for, my clients intentionally left Section 47.1 to be ruled on without any appellate rights to appeal as part of the settlement agreement, to prevent either party from overturning the law.”
“Today’s ruling speaks for itself. Judge Liman clearly considered the ‘outrageous and unreasonable’ $8 million plus demand and, in rejecting it, awarded only 5 percent of the amount sought in legal fees and costs. The ruling is a significant victory for my clients and sends a clear message that, no matter how powerful you may be, the courtroom is not a place to take advantage of the law for your own personal gain.”
In a June filing obtained by Page Six, Lively claimed Baldoni, 42, sought $7,495,526.87 in attorneys’ fees and $539,514.01 in litigation costs and expenses from her explosive legal battle with her “It Ends With Us” co-star and his Wayfarer Studios.
However, the “Jane the Virgin” actor hit back, telling the judge that Lively’s demand for legal fees was “excessive.”
Baldoni’s legal team called the “Another Simple Favor” star’s request for $8 million “anything but a typical fee motion.”
In May, Lively settled her 2024 suit against Baldoni, in which the actress claimed the actor sexually harassed her on the set of “It Ends With Us.”
“The end product — the movie ‘It Ends With Us’ — is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life,” both sides said in a joint statement to Page Six at the time.
The “A Simple Favor” star (seen on the set of “It Ends With Us” with the actor) settled her 2024 sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni earlier this year. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com
Neither party earned money in their settlement. (Pictured: Baldoni and Lively walking on the set of “It Ends With Us.”) GC Images
“Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors — and all survivors — is a goal that we stand behind,” they added.
“We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard.”
Both parties added that they “remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments” and it is their “sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”
The “Shallows” star and Baldoni each earned no money in their lawsuit settlement. However, sources told Page Six Hollywood that their legal teams made $60 million combined through the process.
Last month, Baldoni (seen arriving at court with wife Emily) broke his silence about the settlement, saying “so many painful things” were spoken into existence. Lone Pine Press for NY Post
Lively (seen above at the “It Ends With Us” UK gala screening in 2024) is plotting a Hollywood comeback. Getty Images for Sony Pictures
Last month, Justin broke his silence about the settlement, saying he and his wife, Emily Baldoni, felt “immense gratitude” for those who supported them since Lively’s allegations first surfaced.
“There have been so many painful things spoken into existence over the last couple years,” the author shared.
“And that created so much noise, and we didn’t want to add to the noise,” he continued. “So we just wanted to let the justice system run its course.”
Lively is now planning a Hollywood comeback.